Moments in Mary's Mind

NEW LIFELONG LEARNING BLOG ...

2011-05-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may not know, I am pursuing a masters degree in Adult Education. I have learned so much about lifelong learning and the amazing benefits to keeping our minds in a constant state of learning and growing that I decided to start a blog that is specifically designed for that topic. I will be talking about learning opportunities in your community, the benefits of learning, and even how to give something back through offering learning to others. Be sure to visit it!

I think you'll like it ...

Why do things change?

2009-03-26T12:45:00.001-07:00

My husband called a longtime friend of ours last night who lives in North Carolina. We hadn't talked to him or his wife in over a year, but wanted to ask them a question. After the initial "hey how are you" conversation, he shared with my husband that 1 year ago his wife of 30 years walked out on him and their two 14 year old children.

I can't express to you how deeply this affected me. They were such an amazing couple. Totally devoted to each other, their children, and their Lord. When my husband asked what had happened, he said he had no idea. Everything was great, they built a new home and were preparing to move in the following week. He came home from work, her bags were packed and said she was leaving. No explaination, simply walked out and they haven't heard from her since with the exception of the divorce papers that came soon after.

I sat last night wondering what had happened? What went wrong? What makes my marriage different than theirs that I am so happy and committed to it? I finally came to this conclusion. COMMITTMENT, AND FRIENDSHIP. First and foremost, my husband and I are both EQUALLY committed to our relationship and constantly working to keep it healthy and working. Second, we are each other's best friends. When something goes wrong, he is the one I call to talk to. When something great happens, he is the first one I want to share it with. When I get a funny email, he is the first one I forward it to.

I guess my ramblings for the day are this. If you want to have and keep a healthy marriage ... DON'T EVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. You need to be working on your relationship ALL THE TIME. Never take your spouse, your family or your relationship with them for granted. Or, much too easily it could end up just like our friends in NC.

Self Imposed Stress!

2009-03-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

I like to think that I am a pretty stress free person. I don't get too worked up about things, I'm positive and my glass is almost always half-full. However ... recently I learned that I do get stressed, and it was completely SELF IMPOSED!

I have gone back to college to complete my Bachelors degree and I am taking 9 hours. This in and of itself is not a problem, and I seemed to be able to keep up with the work load with very little stress. Then it happened ... MID TERM WEEK! One of my classes required a 3 page research paper for the mid-term, one was just a weekly quiz, and one was a Mid-term exam. No problem right? WRONG! I began to get very nervous about the exam. I had done well on all the quizzes up to this point, but just the word EXAM seemed to turn my usually stress free self into a quivering, fearful person that I had never met before.

This really surprised me because I have been in college before and it never had this effect on me then. Unfortunately no matter what I did I couldn't seem to shake it. I studied all the time, memorized, and studied some more. I even saved my notes onto my iPod so I could study when I didn't have my notes with me! I was OBSESSED with this exam. No matter how much I studied I did not feel I was prepared and my stress level simply continued to go up!

The exam was on Friday evening at 6 pm, so I met my husband for a quick bite to eat at 4:30 and was so nervous I could barely eat. Just before I left he said to me "just relax, and do your best." I went to the exam, completed it, and even got the answers before I left so I would know exactly what my score was and guess what ... I got a B!

Now, here is the point to this rambling blog post ... WORRY AND STRESS DON'T DO ANYTHING BUT MAKE YOU FEEL SICK! I once heard a statistic that 90% of the things we worry and stress about don't even come to pass! Can you imagine? The next time you get stressed over a situation, you need to ask yourself a few questions: 1. Can I change the outcome of this in any way? If the answer is NO, just let it go and move on! 2. If the answer was YES, you need to do what you physically can to make a difference (in my case study) and then be willing to let the chips fall as they will!

Social Communities ...

2009-03-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Do you use Social Communities like Facebook or MySpace? I have to admit that I have had mine for less than a year. I started it a while back with the main objective of seeing exactly what it was about it that made my teenagers go to it CONSTANTLY. I just didn't "get" it. I mean they see these people all day at school then they got on Facebook at night and "chatted" sent messages and who knew what else.

So, being the "good, concerned and involved" parent that I am ... I established my own Facebook and immediately requested them to be my "friends". Well ... that was about 10 months and over 200 friends ago! Now ... I am addicted to it too! However I have to say that I don't use it as a means to "chat" to friends who I see every day. I have discovered a whole new way for technology to help me find and keep in touch with people I have known for the past 40 some years!

I now can talk to friends from High School and College that I haven't seen in years. Friends that we have had the opportunity to meet all over the world through the Military and family members who have moved away! It is AMAZING!

I know that social community critics say that it is a useless waste of time for young people, and while on some levels I am sure there is truth to that statement. However I have seen first hand just how useful a tool it can be when used for it's intended purpose and I for one say GOOD FOR YOU FACEBOOK! Keep up the good work!

If you would have asked me even a year ago if I would ever be this connected to Facebook I would have said ABSOLUTELY NOT! Wow, what a difference a few months and a whole lot of past friendships recconnting can make in a persons opinion.

What are your thoughts? Like em ... or hate em?

I'll just wait for the Movie ...

2009-03-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

One of my staff members was recently doing a display at the Library on books that have been made into movies. Do you REALIZE how many there are? Just to give you an idea ... I will list a few ...

PS., I Love you
Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist
Twilight
The Golden Compass
Alex Rider: Storm Breaker
Marley & Me
Bridge To Terabithia
Bourne Series
Narnia Series
Princess Diaries
The Wedding Date
X Men Movies
Watchmen
Fantastic Four
Spiderman
Batman
Holes
Hoot

I think this gives you an idea. However I want you to consider this. A book has the capabilities within it's covers to span an infinite amount of time, and locations. While a movie generally must fit into a 2 hour period. I can honestly say that in every case where I have read the book and seen the movie ... without exception ... the book is always better. There is more depth to the story and more details into the characters. Have you seen on of these movies lately and didn't realize it was a book? If so, I encourage you to go to your library and check it out. You will be amazed at how much more enjoyable the book will be!

I am thinking of starting a Teen program at our library called "Reading @ the Movies". The concept will be that we have a book club where for 1 month we read a book that is recently made into a movie ... or one that is upcoming. After we have finished reading the book, we will then have a movie night and watch the video. After we watch the video I want to get the Young Peoples impressions by asking these questions: 1. Was the book or the video better? 2. Did you like the actors that were cast in the different parts? 3. What was left out of the movie that you wish would have been put in? 4. What changes were made and do you think they were necessary? 5. Do you feel the producers did a good job of presenting the book in movie form?

If you decide to read a book from a movie you have watched, I encourage you to ask yourself the same questions when you are done. Then feel free share your thoughts with all of us!

Do you blog? You should!

2009-03-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

I started my blogging just 4 days ago and already I am hooked. I check out my bloglines several times a day and I am amazed at all the great information that is available through them.

I personally have been watching the blog "Books, news, reviews and Author Interviews" pretty closely. Being a librarian I like to keep up with what books are coming out and what reviews they are receiving. This not only helps me in my personal search for good books to read, but also in the ordering of books which I do as part of my job. I have also been checking the "Library Stuff" blog. This provides all kinds of Library related information. Everything from budget cuts, to meeting the needs of different age groups, to how to implement more technology into your library. It is a GREAT SOURCE of information. Finally I have also been checking a blog called "TechCrunch". If you are into technology at all this blog will interest you. It has everything from the latest in phones, online search engines, the latest in computer social communities ... everything. For years many small town Librarians seemed to be going into the technological age "kicking and screaming". They wanted to keep the focus on the printed materials and keep technology out of the libraries. I am seeing that technology is a part of our society and if the Local Library wants to keep in touch with their patrons ... technology has to play a part in that as well.

Maybe Library information isn't what you are interested in? NO PROBLEM! You can check blogs that have information on EVERYTHING! Music, movies, celebrities, cooking, travel ... you name it. I would encourage each of you to go to: http://www.bloglines.com and set up a FREE account. You can select subjects that you are interested in and then daily it will produce a list of blogs that apply to your interest and publish the latest information for you!

If you set up a blogline account and start using it ... as always ... share your thoughts with us!

Junk Food in schools -- YES or NO?!

2009-03-06T12:12:00.001-08:00

Today I read an article from the "Accidental Hedonist" on blog lines about the ongoing debate over junk foods being sold in schools. Just recently my High School Freshman came home from school complaining that due to state laws they were no longer going to be able to purchase sodas during school hours on school grounds. Of course he felt this was "the stupidest things EVER!" I reminded him that "way back in the 1980's dark ages" my school actually turned the soda machines backwards during school hours, and then turned them back around when the final bell for the day rang. I reminded him of one of my favorite sayings ... "That which does not KILL you will make you stronger!" and I assured him that not purchasing a soda certainly would not kill him.

However in the article I read to day the topic wasn't about if the students should be allowed to have junk food and soda's available to them in school vending machines ... that seemed to be agreed on by everyone that it should NOT be allowed. However the concern now is if we should allow the TEACHERS to have access to the same foods in their lounges. The debate (as you can imagine) was heated on both sides. There were arguments allowing for these types of food for teachers because they are adults and therefore have the RIGHT to make their own choices. Also it was stated (by a teacher) that they often are in such a rush in the morning that they don't have time to remember to bring their own soda's and don't have time to run out during the day. Of course on the other side of the argument there were cases presented for setting an example for the students, and that proper nutrition is not only for the young ... but adults as well.

My personal opinion? I don't think it should matter for students OR teachers. However ... regardless of what you decide the rules should be the same for everyone. Just like I told my son ... "if it won't kill the students ... it won't kill the teachers either." Besides, there are convenience stores on nearly every other corner in America ... so just stop on the way to school if you can make it through the day without your soda or snacks. That's what my kids do!

What are your thoughts on the Junk Food in School issue? Feel free to share them!

How often do you visit your Local Library?

2009-03-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You call yourselves my friends and the largest majority of you don't even utilize your local library? Do you realize that you ... as a tax payer ... pay for your local library through your property taxes? Basically if you don't use it ... you are GIVING AWAY YOUR TAX DOLLARS! Are you aware of what your local library has to offer? Essentially is it your own PERSONAL "Barnes and Noble" and "Blockbuster Video Store" all rolled into one convenient location. You can check out all the latest (and even older one that you undoubtely missed) books, videos, music CD's, newspapers, magazines, classes for all ages, and much, much more! You can have FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET at your finger tips in just moments! (unless you come into my library between 3-5 pm when all the school kids are there ... then you might have a wait a while!)

But seriously. If you said on the survey that you haven't been to your local public library in a while ... do yourself a favor and GO! The libraries of today are MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU REMEMBER from your childhood. There is so much being offered to you and like I said earlier ... you already paid for it, why not take advantage of it!

Be sure to let me know when you have gone ... and what your impressions were!

Giving up things for Lent?!

2009-03-05T06:39:00.001-08:00

Ok ... let me start this entry by stating that I don't give up anything for lent. It simply isn't a practice that I have ever done, and knowing my lack of endurance ... probably wouldn't follow through anyway. However I find it interesting to learn what people DO give up for lent. This week-end I was visiting my son at college and his room mate has given up meat. Because he is always conscience of what he eats I felt this was a legitimate choice. I have heard of those who give up smoking, soft drinks, and even sex. However today while checking out my blog lines ... I discovered a new "twist" on giving things up for lent! Read this:

Call to give up texting for Lent

Many Italian clerics have given their backing to Monsignor Cocchi's appeal. The archbishop of the Italian city of Modena wants young Catholics to give up text messaging, social networking websites and computer games for Lent.

Monsignor Benito Cocchi said foregoing the activities would help them "cleanse themselves from the virtual world and get back into touch with themselves", The average Italian sends 50 texts a month from their mobiles, the second highest rate in Europe, behind the UK. Other Italian bishops have given their backing to the appeal.

In Trento, Archbishop Luigi Bressan has meanwhile suggested people use Lent to embrace recycling. Venice's bishop has said worshippers might want to give up mineral water and drink only tap water.

Father Gianni Fazzini of the Venice diocese told the newspaper, La Repubblica: "If people renounce things individually, it can produce a collective change.

"It's a reaction to the economic crisis: in changing our consumer habits we can also meet our responsibility as Christians to safeguard God's Creation," he added.

Pope Benedict XVI warned in January that people who spent too much time in front of their computers risked isolation and depression.

Lent, which for most Christian congregations runs from Ash Wednesday to Easter, commemorates the 40 days that Jesus is said to have spent fasting in the desert and rejecting the temptations of Satan before beginning his ministry.

WOW! What can I say ... even Lent has come into the technological age!

Starting the Blog Journey

2009-03-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

I am starting my blog journey today, March 3, 2009. While I consider myself a relatively capable computer user, I have never ventured into the world of Blogging! However, today with the encouragement of a grade in my information technology class at IUPUI, I am stepping out in a new area of the cyber world. Come with me as I experience something new and broaden my personal horizons, as well as my informational education. I hope to learn not only how to maintain a blog, but also to create one that is appealing and helpful to others. I will be posting things that are of interest to me in the Youth Services area of Library Science. Ways to make and keep it fun and exciting for the young patrons we serve. I also hope to get feed back and information from you ... those who will be reading my blog. Feel free to share. I love to learn and I have been around long enough to know that I can learn a LOT from those I have contact with ... both in person ... and on the Internet!